o CONGRESS FEELS THE HEAT: The political climate in the Congress stronghold in the Salcete-Mormugao belt is tense with Churchill Alemao kick-starting his pro-Dabolim (airport) movement from Vasco, and equally determined Congress leaders gearing up to ward off any possible damage to the party in its bastion. (H)

o SAYS AN ADVERT: The fight is on. Dabolim forever. Mopa never! Public meeting at Vasco opposite Municipality at 5 pm today. Attending in large numbers as in this meeting, it is you the people who will decide the future course of action. Churchill Alemao, South Goa MP.

o POLICE, ON THE DRUG TRADE: The Goa Police are in touch with the US, UK and Israeli authorities through the Narcotics Control Bureau of India (NCBI), to check drug trafficking in the State, said Director General of Police Neeraj Kumar.(H)

o MONTE MUSIC FESTIVAL, bringing together the Indian and Western classical music festival, is being held on March 3-5. Recitals by members of the Forum of the Art with Nauzer (piano/violin) and Susan Badyari (flute), santoor, vocal rcital (by soprano Joanne Marie D'Mello), Bharatnatyam, Goa State Strings Orchestra (conducted by Nauzer), Kala Academy String Orchestra (conducted by Teresa Figueiredo), sitar recital by Chhote Rahimat Khan) and a choral recital by Ensemble Peregrinacao (Pilgrimage Ensemble of Portugal) with Joanne Marie D'Mello and conducted by Teresita Gutierrez. The Ensemble Peregrinacao will also perform at the GVM Nargao on March 6 (Mon) 7 pm. Entry free. Open day (Fri) admission by invite only.

o Enumerators in the recently-concluded six-day, wildlife census 2006 have collected material to suggest that there may be at least three tigers in Goa's western ghats. This is a more authentic confirmation of the last 2002 exercise, which had suggested the presence of five big cats. (Paul Fernandes, in GT)

Rajya Sabha passed the National Commission for Minority Education Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2005. Government said certain reasons were behind this amendment, main being that minority institutions were facing many problems in securing NOCs. (UNI)

GOVERNOR S C JAMIR has appointed former union minister Eduardo Faleiro as the Commissioner for NRIs with immediate effect, and with rank of a Cabinet minister. His office will be at the new Secretariat, Alto Porvorim. Development commissioner J K Dadoo has been relieved of his additional charge of the NRI Cell. (H)

Pope drops 'Patriarch' title: Pope Benedict XVI has dropped the title of 'Patriarch of the Occident', one of the many he holds as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, saying it could herald a clash with the Russian Orthodox Church. (AFP)

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In a tragic incident, a three-year-old girl got drowned in a well in Khandiwaddo, Curchorem on Wednesday morning. Megha Durgappa was returning home after attending anganwadi class, when she fell into an open well. (H)

Many unanswered questions about Patto suicide, says the Herald. Gomantak Times front pages the story.

Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. Lent begins on 1 March 2006, Ash Wednesday and ends on 15 April 2006, which is the day before Easter. In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat. Try some of these meatless recipes during Lent.

Pancake Tuesday is celebrated the day before the beginning of Lent. This is the time we remember the forty days Jesus spent in the desert. It is known by different names in different countries. In Scotland it is sometimes known as Shrove Tuesday, from the word shriven which means you are cleansed of your sins by the priest before Lent begins. Traditionally fat and flour was used up before the fasting of Lent began and pancakes were the best way to do this.

Put the flour and salt and in a large mixing bowl. Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time, and then whisk in the sugar, melted butter, and vanilla. Cover and let rest in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Melt a small pat of butter in the pat and swirl around so that it lightly coats the surface. Add 1/3 cup of the batter and move your wrist in a circular pattern to coat the pan with thin even layer of batter. Cook for about 1 minute or until the first side browns lightly, then flip and cook 45 seconds to 1 minute longer. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.

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